Oatmeal to Increase Breast Milk

Babies have been breastfed to survive and thrive since humans graced the Earth. Most moms who breastfeed will not need to increase their milk supply while nursing, but many may wonder if baby is actually getting enough milk. There are easy ways to determine if breastfeeding is meeting babys needs and how to increase breast milk with oatmeal or by other means.

Need

Breastfeeding mothers often do not need to increase milk supply.

Mothers can easily determine the need to increase breast milk. A nursing mother makes milk through supply and demand. When a baby is allowed to nurse frequently, in most cases the mother will make plenty of milk for the baby to thrive. Sometimes there may be a breastfeeding or other issue that results in the baby not thriving. If a baby under 6 weeks of age is not gaining well on breast milk alone or does not have five to six wet diapers and two to three bowel movement diapers in 24 hours, consult with a lactation specialist, health care professional trained in lactation, or La Leche League leader to determine how to increase milk supply.

Galactagogue

Foods, herbs or medications that increase breast milk are called galactagogues. Oatmeal is considered a galactagogue by many lactation specialists, although the effectiveness is based on personal accounts rather than research. Many mothers have found that the addition of oatmeal into the diet allows them to produce and pump more milk than when they are not eating oatmeal.

Explanation

Steel cut or whole oat pods contain the most minerals helpful for lactation.

Although oatmeal doesnt have controlled studies to back it, there are some reasons it may work to increase breast milk. According to Hilary Jacobson, oatmeal is a comfort food for many mothers, promoting relaxation and relief from depression. Mothers who are low in iron may not be able to produce adequate milk, and oats provide iron. Oatmeal contains minerals that help stimulate the hormone oxytocin, contributing to successful letdown during lactation. There is a correlation between some galactagogues such as fenugreek and alfalfa and the reduction of cholesterol. Since oats are also known to reduce cholesterol, they may share the same characteristics of increasing milk supply.

Recommendations

Lactation specialists recommend eating a breakfast of whole oatmeal, steel cut oats or whole pods because they have more nutrients than instant oatmeal to help a mother relax and increase breast milk. Mothers can also use oats in snacks to increase consumption, thus increasing breast milk supply. Oats are easy to eat and most people tolerate them with no problems. Those with gluten sensitivity may want to buy oats that are gluten-free.

Alternatives

Take a break with baby to relax and stimulate milk production.

The best suggestion when trying to increase milk supply is to take care of mom and get some rest. Stress can inhibit milk production, so it pays to take a break. Increase water consumption, delegate responsibilities and enjoy nursing the baby as much as possible. Increasing breast milk supply can also be done through drinking water, eating at least 500 calories more per day, researching herbs and adding foods that may support lactation. Foods that may help increase supply include brewers yeast and essential fatty acids like those found in fish.

Some mothers increase breast milk through pumping after a feeding to milk the breast fully and send the message that more milk is needed. Prescription medications may be obtained through consulting with a health care professional. Check with a lactation specialist before using herbs as some are not suitable for breastfeeding. Various herbs that have been used to increase milk production include fenugreek in capsules or tea form, marshmallow root, nettles, blessed thistle and alfalfa. Some tea companies also make preparations to support lactation, which may be found at health food stores.

How to Recover Fast After Child Birth

Childbirth is a physically and psychologically demanding process. You will feel exhausted and extremely sore after childbirth. It is going to take up to weeks for you to completely recover. Below are few tips that may help you to recover faster.

Instructions

1

Rest a lot. Do nothing except feeding the baby and caring for yourself. Don't worry about household chores. Ask for help from your family or friends to help you with household chores in the first week.

2

Get your husband, boyfriend or partner involved in caring and feeding the baby. In the first few weeks, you need to wake up 3 to 4 times at night to feed your newborn. After breastfeeding, he can help you to change the baby's diaper. You can also pump your breast milk out or prepare formula milk in a bottle and let's your partner feed the baby, while you rest.

3

Be positive and relax. Studies show that a positive attitude after childbirth is associated with faster recover process.

4

Breastfeed your baby. Studies show that breastfeeding helps the uterus to shrink to normal size at a faster rate.

5

Exercise will help you to regain your strength and to relieve some of the stress. A light walk for a few blocks with your baby in the stroller is good for recovery. Try to do that everyday. Don't overexercise. If you are still bleeding, limit walking up and down the stairs.

6

Use an icepack to relieve swelling and pain. You will continue to bleed for few days after coming home from hospital. Ask your doctor for pain medication if you feel the pain is too overwhelming in the first few days. Take stool softeners to avoid constipation.

Relief for Post-Nasal Drip During Breastfeeding

Post-nasal drip occurs when the sinuses produce too much mucus and can result in coughing, congestion or chronic sore throat. Different medications vary in efficacy and safety during breastfeeding, so knowing which medications and alternative health solutions are safe for your baby can help you decide how to treat your post-nasal drip.

Safe Medications

To reduce excess mucus or congestion, consider a nasal spray. Kelly Mom, an online resource for breastfeeding moms, says that nasal sprays are generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. Look for a nasal spray that contains phenylephrine, as opposed to one containing oxymetazoline. When post-nasal drip is caused by allergies, sprays such as Flonase or NasalCrom are safe and effective for breastfeeding moms. Also, the homeopathic nasal gel Zicam is a safe option while breastfeeding.

Decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are both safe; however, Kelly Mom says pseudoephedrine may reduce milk supply by 24 percent. Don't take pseuodephedrine on a regular basis, as it could permanently decrease milk supply.

If you're experiencing throat irritation due to excess mucus flow, try a sore throat spray or lozenge, as they're generally compatible with breastfeeding. Avoid lozenges with menthol, which could reduce milk supply.

Alternative Health Solutions

For a more natural approach to treat post-nasal drip, consider alternative methods. Make your own nasal spray to avoid chemical ingredients. Add 1/2 tsp. salt and a pinch of baking soda to 1 cup of lukewarm water. Spritz the solution a few times into your nose using a child-sized bulb syringe. Blow your nose to help break up excess mucus. Or, take a hot shower with no shower fan on, as steamy, hot water can relieve congestion. Also, the homeopathy treatment Pulsatilla Nigricans may help to relieve exportation and congestion associated with post-nasal drip. Kelly Mom says that homeopathic remedies are compatible with breastfeeding.

Typical Baby Growth Spurts

Changes happen quickly in the first year of life and in the blink of parent's eye, a baby goes from a helpless, nearly immobile newborn to a crawling, babbling handful. During the first 12 months, babies grow more rapidly than at any other point; they gain three times their birth weight and grow between 8 and 10 inches on average.

Typical Growth Spurt Periods

Babies typically grow in five short, intense spurts during the first year, according to WhatToExpect.com. While this can happen at any time, most experts believe these bursts usually occur one at a time for two to seven day periods between one and three weeks, between six and eight weeks, at three months, at six months and at nine months. However, according to the Parents.com, not all experts agree these growth spurts are so predictable.

Signs of Growth Spurts

Babies often experience intense periods of hunger during or right before growth spurts, feeding more often and wanting more volume of milk or other solid foods. For example, a baby that typically breastfeeds every three hours may suddenly want a snack every one to two hours, according to the What to Expect. Hungry, growth-spurting infants can nurse 15 to 16 times a day.

Fussiness, including repeatedly latching on and letting go during nursing sessions, and awakening more often during the night to eat are common signs of infant growth bursts, as is a period of unusually sound sleep after days of heavy feeding.

Coping Strategies

Sleeping less and dealing with a cranky, hungry baby that wants to constantly eat---particularly for breastfeeding women---can be difficult. What to Expect recommends recruiting help to keep up with housework, work duties, sleep requirements or anything else that may need to be done. The website also stresses drinking plenty of water for breast feeding mothers to help keep up with demand and not to give up on breastfeeding. While it may be frustrating for a few days, milk supply will catch up with baby's needs.

Considerations

Fussiness, frequent waking during the night and excessive hunger are not necessarily signs of a growth spurt, according to Parents. Changing caregivers or normal routines can make a baby cranky. Infants coming down with an infection (such as a cold) or teething may also display all of the signs associated with growing bursts, plus more sleeping. What to Expect recommends visiting a pediatrician if you suspect any problems, particularly if the baby is not growing or if she does not wet at least five diapers a day.

Interesting Facts

Babies really can grow overnight---up to 3 oz. and a centimeter in 24 hours---according to Michelle Lampl, M.D., Ph.D., growth researcher and associate professor of anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta.

How to Supplement Without Diminishing Milk Supply

Everyone knows that breastfeeding is best and it is a perfect match of nutrition for your newborn's growing body. However, there are some mothers who may be concerned that there baby is not gaining enough weight. Usually there is nothing to worry about, but if you would like to supplement with formula, it is completely possible to do without diminishing your milk supply, despite what you may have been told. By following these steps, you will be able to supplement with formula now and then for whatever reason and still be able to continue breastfeeding for as long as you want.

Instructions

1

Make sure your baby is very comfortable with latching on. It is very important before you try introducing a bottle that your baby is good with latching on, because some children develop nipple confusion and may not take the breast very well after taking a bottle. In most cases, they take to both just fine after they are good at latching onto the breast.

2

Breastfeed your baby like you normally would, except insert a bottle of formula for one feeding. Just try a couple ounces at first, to make sure that they take to it. Some babies cannot take certain formulas, so if you decide to add formula into your newborn's diet, it is important to only give a little the first time.

3

Have your husband, boyfriend, or someone else feed your baby the formula while you use a breastpump to express your milk. You could also pump directly afterwards if you have to.

4

Pump your breasts for at least 10 minutes on each breast to simulate your child feeding. Babies are much more effective at getting the milk out than a breast pump, but breast pumps do work. If you feel like it's not as much as your baby would get, pump a little longer even if you do not see milk coming out.

5

Continue with your breastfeeding schedule as normal, while supplementing and pumping every other day. If you would like to supplement more, then make sure you pump more. In order to keep up your milk supply you have to be stimulating your breasts as often as your baby would.

How to Dry Up Breast Milk Supply When You Stop Breastfeeding

Until the last century or so, virtually all children were breastfed. Today, many women are returning to this time-tested way of supplying nourishment and nutrients to their babies. However, at some point, you have to wean the child from breast milk and introduce him or her to prepared foods. When this happens, your continued production of breast milk can become uncomfortable as well as inconvenient. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to dry up your breast milk supply.

Instructions

1

Put chilled cabbage leaves inside your bra for several hours every day. Surround your breasts with these leaves, positioning them so they are comfortable.

2

Use ice packs, wrapped in towels, as cold compresses and place against your breasts for 10 minutes at a time, several times every day. Avoid placing the ice packs directly against the skin.

3

Use ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medication, to relieve discomfort. Do not exceed the recommended dosage on the package. Consult with your doctor if this does not help.

4

Consume several cups of sage tea every day. The properties in this tea help inhibit milk production.

5

Drink plenty of water. Many women are under the mistaken impression that cutting back on water intake helps reduce milk production; however, the result is often dehydration.

How to Alleviate Engorgement

Engorgement is the term used to describe the overabundance of milk in the breasts. Engorgement usually happens when your milk first comes in, which is just a few days after delivery. However, it can happen at other times as well. Engorgement is usually very painful because the breasts become swollen and very tender. There are a few things you can do to alleviate engorgement. And most moms will tell you, the sooner the better.

Instructions

1

The best way to cure engorgement is to prevent it. After you deliver, you should try to room in with your baby. This means that instead of your baby spending time in the nursery, he spends his time with you. Rooming in allows you to observe the early signs of your baby's hunger like rooting and sucking on his hands or clothes. Whenever these signs are first apparent, you should try and put your baby to breast right away. The more frequently the baby nurses, the less chance you will have to develop engorgement.

2

Before nursing, you can apply warm compresses to your breasts or take a warm shower. Doing either of these things will soften your breasts so that it is easier for the baby to latch on. Babies have a very difficult time latching on to hard nipples and swollen breasts.

3

If you find that you are severely engorged, you can place a cold cabbage leaf right inside of your bra after nursing. The coldness and healing properties of cabbage will help eliminate the pain and tenderness of the breast.

4

Nurse frequently. The more often your baby nurses, the less likely it is that you'll become engorged. You should alternate breasts when feeding as well. This will give each breast the chance to empty completely.